Group L will be the one that will attract the attention of the fans as England aim to bring the World Cup back home. However, they face a major test in the form of Croatia and Ghana, who will look to spoil the English party.
FIFA WORLD CUP 2026 FULL COVERAGE
Panama will prove that they’re no pushovers in the group, setting up some exciting clashes in the group. Thomas Tuchel will be facing his first test as England boss, and he has already faced scrutiny for the team selection that he has made. Croatia have always punched above its weight, and this year will be no different.
Ghana fired their manager just 72 days before the start of the competition and will depend on their talent to get them over the line.
GROUP D: SCHEDULE
Ghana vs Panama — June 17
England vs Croatia — June 17
England vs Ghana — June 23
Panama vs Croatia — June 23
Panama vs England — June 27
Croatia vs Ghana — June 27
GROUP D: SQUADS
England (Best finish: 1966 Winners)
Goalkeepers: Jordan Pickford, Dean Henderson, James Trafford
Defenders: Reece James, Ezri Konsa, Jarell Quansah, John Stones, Marc Guhi, Dan Burn, Nico O’Reilly, Djed Spence, Tino Livramento
Midfielders: Declan Rice, Elliot Anderson, Kobbie Mainoo, Jordan Henderson, Morgan Rogers, Jude Bellingham, Eberechi Eze
Forwards: Harry Kane, Ivan Toney, Ollie Watkins, Bukayo Saka, Marcus Rashford, Anthony Gordon, Noni Madueke
Manager: Thomas Tuchel
Croatia (Best finish: 2018 runners-up)
Goalkeepers: Dominik Livakovic, Dominik Kotarski, Ivor Pandur
Defenders: Josko Gvardiol, Duje Caleta-Car, Josip Sutalo, Josip Stanisic, Marin Pongracic, Martin Erlic, Luka Vuskovic
Midfielders: Luka Modric, Mateo Kovacic, Mario Pasalic, Nikola Vlasic, Luka Sucic, Martin Baturina, Kristijan Jakic, Petar Sucic, Nikola Moro, Toni Fruk
Forwards: Ivan Perisic, Andrej Kramaric, Ante Budimir, Marco Pasalic, Petar Musa, Igor Matanovic
Manager: Zlatko Dalic
Ghana (Best finish: 2010 quarters)
Goalkeepers: Benjamin Asare, Lawrence Ati-Zigi, Joseph Anang
Defenders: Baba Abdul Rahman, Gideon Mensah, Marvin Senaya, Alidu Seidu, Abdul Mumin, Jerome Opoku, Jonas Adjetey, Kojo Oppong Peprah, Derrick Luckassen
Midfielders: Elisha Owusu, Thomas Partey, Kwasi Sibo, Augustine Boakye, Caleb Yirenkyi, Abdul Fatawu Issahaku
Forwards: Kamal Deen Sulemana, Christopher Bonsu Baah, Ernest Nuamah, Antoine Semenyo, Brandon Thomas-Asante, Prince Kwabena Adu, Iaki Williams, Jordan Ayew
Manager: Carlos Queiroz
Panama (Best finish: Group stage)
Goalkeepers: Orlando Mosquera, Luis Meja, Csar Samudio
Defenders: Csar Blackman, Jorge Gutirrez, Amir Murillo, Fidel Escobar, Andrs Andrade, Edgardo Faria, Jos Córdoba, ric Davis, Jiovany Ramos, Roderick Miller
Midfielders: Anbal Godoy, Adalberto Carrasquilla, Carlos Harvey, Cristian Martnez, Jos Luis Rodrguez, Csar Yanis, Yoel Brcenas, Alberto Quintero, Azarias Londoo
Forwards: Ismael Daz, Cecilio Waterman, Jos Fajardo, Toms Rodrguez
Manager: Thomas Christiansen
GROUP L: MEET THE TEAMS
Ah, England. The Three Lions have been a classic case of having all the talent in the world and failing to turn up at a major tournament. Since their World Cup win in 1966, they have finished fourth twice, once in 1990 and 2018. During this time, they have seen the likes of Paul Gascoigne, David Beckham, Michael Owen, Alan Shearer, Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard play for them, without a lot of success.
This year, once again the talent is there for a deep run to the title, but the question is, will they do it? Tuchel has already made himself a divisive figure by not taking enough creative talent to the tournament and snubbing the likes of Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw among others.
Croatia have caused some big upsets over the course of the last two campaigns, which includes wins against England in 2018 and Brazil in 2022.
Their hero will be Luka Modric, who will look to bring down his glittering career on a high note. Croatia booked their place at the World Cup without tasting defeat, collecting seven victories and a draw during the qualifying campaign. Having navigated the process comfortably, Zlatko Dalic’s side will arrive in North America believing they can challenge some of the tournament’s bigger names.
Since their memorable run in 2010, Ghana have struggled to replicate that success on the world stage, suffering first-round eliminations in 2014 and 2022 while missing out on the 2018 tournament altogether.
Despite concerns elsewhere in the squad, Ghana possesses several dangerous attacking options. Antoine Semenyo, Iaki Williams, Kamaldeen Sulemana and skipper Jordan Ayew provide plenty of firepower, while Thomas Partey remains the key figure in midfield. However, defensive vulnerabilities and a lack of quality beyond the starting XI could prove problematic over the course of the tournament.
Panama return for only their second World Cup appearance, eager to make a stronger impression after a difficult debut in 2018, when they finished bottom of their group and suffered a heavy defeat to England. The rematch with the Three Lions offers a chance to rewrite that chapter.
Under Thomas Christiansen, Panama have developed into a disciplined and competitive side. They reached the 2023 Gold Cup final, finished runners-up in the 2025 Concacaf Nations League and came through World Cup qualifying unbeaten.
GROUP L: MATCH OF THE GROUP
There is no doubt that the match of the group distinction will go to England vs Croatia, which will be played on June 17. The Three Lions lost in the 2018 World Cup to Croatia during the semifinal in extra time and they will be eyeing revenge.
The result of the game will be critical in knowing who could potentially finish at the top of the group. England hold a 5-3 edge in the head-to-head record and will be hoping that they can get the win to start the campaign.
GROUP L: PLAYERS TO WATCH OUT FOR
Harry Kane
For England, it could essentially be Harry Kane or bust when it comes to goals. The Three Lions captain will be entering the World Cup in incredible form, scoring 61 goals in 51 matches for Bayern Munich in all competitions. He won the golden boot in 2018 and will hold the hopes of his team this year as well.
Kane will also be out for some personal redemption as he ballooned a penalty against France over the post as they lost the game 2-1 and exit the tournament.
Luka Modric
Luka Modric will go down as one of the greatest midfielders of his generation and continues to show that age is just a number. He played a total of 2816 minutes for AC Milan this season, scoring two goals and providing three assists.
Modric has been the inspiration for Croatia in the last two World Cups and he will be aiming to end his career with another sensational run in the tournament.
Antoine Semenyo
Antoine Semenyo emerged as one of the Premier League’s standout performers during the 2025/26 campaign, impressing first with Bournemouth before elevating his game further following a January switch to Manchester City.
The Ghana international enjoyed a remarkable season, earning a nomination for the Premier League Player of the Season award after netting 17 league goals across his spells with both clubs. He also produced a defining moment in City’s FA Cup triumph, scoring the winner against Chelsea with an audacious backheel finish in the final.
Adalberto Carrasquilla
At the heart of Panama’s setup is 27-year-old Adalberto Carrasquilla, a midfielder who has steadily built a reputation as one of the region’s most influential creative forces. After excelling with the Houston Dynamo in Major League Soccer, Carrasquilla secured a marquee transfer to Pumas UNAM in Mexico’s Liga MX.
Widely regarded as the driving force behind Panama’s attack, he dictates the tempo from midfield and possesses the creativity to unlock defenses with a single pass.
GROUP L: PREDICTION
- England
- Croatia
- Ghana
- Panama
– Ends
